7 Reasons Why Your Business Site Isn't Attracting Enough Customers

When you are researching products and services online, do you ever notice how quickly you dismiss some websites because you don’t feel they will deliver? Well, what do you think about your own business website?

What does an untrustworthy website look like? What are the factors that contribute for a website to look unattractive to potential customers? Have a look at this list of website trust factors. If they make you squirm when you see these on other sites, then chances are they have the same impact on your web visitors, too!

1.    It’s a graphic disaster

We are living in the land of templates. A do-it-yourself logo and clunky template don’t look professional and could give you that impression of a “fly by night” operation. You need consistency in brand and a nice blend of the right colors, images, and text.

2.    It’s boring

The website feels like you are reading a small novel. Fonts are small, and the site is very text heavy. Images are stock photography that you’ve seen before. Websites should show the reader that they understand clearly and concisely what the reader needs to know. Punch out important text and add some original, creative photography.

3.    It’s old news

You can tell that the website hasn’t been updated in ages. They have old resources and it has been months (or years) since the blog was updated. Websites should be a place for visitors to learn about what’s happening in your industry as well as about your company. Keeping it fresh and engaging keeps visitors on the site longer.

4.    You can’t find what you’re looking for

In other words, the navigation sucks and there are way too many “clicks” required to get to important information. It’s a common fact that the more clicks required the more you lose visitors. Keep key information like contact info in your footer, header, or sidebars, so it shows up on all pages. Summarize products or services on one page. Make it easy for people to get to the right solution quickly.

5.    It’s a whole lot of hoopla

These are sites that over-promise and under-deliver. The headlines promise one thing in the content, and the content is completely different. The testimonials don’t have names or companies attached. Statistics aren’t footnoted with sources. The results seems to too good to be true, which normally means they are—you get the picture.

Here you find music for $129.95, but the source is “Royalty Free Music Library.”

6.    Everything requires an email address

So you want to know about our products? Fill out this form first. Commonly called “squeeze pages,” these websites give you no other option if you’re interested but to leave your information to take the next step. You can then expect daily emails for weeks trying to get you to buy.

7.    It contains a lot of nonsense

When you are searching and visit multiple sites, you soon discover that these sites say exactly the same thing as a handful of other sites you have read. They use the same language. They promise the same results.

You might think you want your website to be like your competitors, but that could be the biggest mistake you make. Sites that are all the same can be the biggest reason people don’t trust you. Be bold and be proud of what makes you different.

4 Reasons Why Branding is Essential for Small Businesses

Any kind of business, whether big or small in size, needs to have its own unique branding. Your brand is what the outside world thinks of you. That’s it. Although you can influence your brand through well-designed logos, hilarious ad campaigns, carefully crafted press releases, or super-friendly service, ultimately, your brand is what the outside world says it is.

So even if your business is just a small one, don't think that it doesn't need any sort of branding. There are times when being small can give you an advantage, but there are others when appearing to be larger than you actually are is a wiser strategy. But how can a small business create the illusion of being bigger?

Here are four good reasons why branding is key to any business.

A brand makes you look bigger

If you scream “small-time vendor,” or “mom working in her bathrobe,” that is how your customers will want to compensate you. Branding will help elevate your business. Research other businesses—who do you look up to? Find an example of what you want to look like.

A brand builds credibility

If you want people to trust that you can deliver, you need to look the part. A well-designed brand is as important as brushing your teeth before the first date. Think about what you stand for and communicate that to your customers in everything you do, from the colors you choose to the words you use.

A brand makes you memorable

Stand out from the crowd, in the right way. Your customers have to remember you to find you. If your potential customer Googled your service, what would they find? Identify elements of your business that are different from your competitors, and showcase them in unique ways.

A brand attracts customers

When customers understand who you are and what you offer, they think about doing business with you. When they trust you and begin to love you, they tell their friends. Once your brand is solid, word of mouth is the best way to grow your base. Ask your customers for reviews and referrals. Make sure they know you appreciate the business. Build on great reviews by showcasing your happy customers. Grow your business further with well-planned and brand-consistent marketing campaigns, using the same colors, fonts, and personality.

How Your Small Business Can Compete in the Digital Age

If you’re a small business owner and you already have a website, social media account, and blog, then your chances of competing in the digital age just went up a bit. However, if you’re marketing as if it’s still 1999, get those launched and circle back. Of course, you’re confident that your product or services are top notch and of great value to customers, but how do you really build a following, a clientele, in order to beat the competition who are probably dabbling in the same strategies as you are?

Have Consistent Branding

This has to be the first step in your small business marketing strategy. Branding and visibility are very important in today’s competitive digital world. Make sure you are sending the right message with your logo, brand, product, or services. You need to keep your brand image consistent across your website, blog, social profiles, and your printed materials.

Review Your Website

Take a careful look at your business website. Make sure it is mobile friendly and responsive. Check carefully if your content is both current and relevant. If it isn’t, then you need to update it. Add required functionality to keep visitors on your site longer. Verify your site on Google so you will appear on local listings and Google maps.

Publish Fresh Content

So you have a website, social media accounts, and even a blog. But is all your content fresh and up to date? Small business marketing in 2017 is a lot more than having a website and forgetting about it. SEO guidelines have changed overnight, and Google now considers fresh and relevant content a ranking signal. If you want to stay at the top of search engine results, you will need to keep up with those changes and publish SEO-friendly content. Brands change over time and your website and your small business marketing need to reflect that.

Create Special Offers

Everyone likes a sale or special deal, and you’ll be surprised how much in your niche market do. Add a monthly deal and publish it on your website, blog, newsletter, and social sites. An expiration date or limited time offer simply adds a sense of urgency, which heightens the excitement of the special offer.

Establish a Strong Social Media Presence or Advertise on Social Media

Small business marketing should never ignore social media especially now in 2018. Social media has become a marketing juggernaut. If you are not sure how, perhaps you need to engage a professional social media marketer or agency. The money you spend will be less than the cost of making social media strategy errors. Also, small business marketing now includes advertising on social media. Facebook ads are becoming more effective than any other social advertising tactic.

Be Active on Social Media

Simply having a social media profile is not enough. You must stay activeon all of your social networks, posting at least once a day. This is important if you want your posts seen by viewers.

How to Determine the Perfect Supplier for Your Business

Selecting the right suppliers for your business needs is vital to ensure that you are able to deliver your products and services on time, at the right price, and in compliance with your quality standards. By implementing specific supplier’s selection criteria, it’s possible to identify companies that will work with you to meet the demands of your customers.

Here are five tips for finding the right suppliers for your raw materials or other company procurement requirements.

1. Set your criteria.

Create a list of the supplier’s selection criteria that companies need to fulfill to be able to provide you with the items you need. This could include issues like:

• Lead times from receipt of your order to delivery
• Minimum and maximum order quantities
• Storage and handling facilities
• Specific methods of delivery
• Quality assurance processes
• Payment terms and conditions
• Return policy
• Contactable references

Setting the criteria in advance will enable you to evaluate potential suppliers on each of the listed items and ensure that you don’t overlook any important requirements.

2. Define your process.

Identify the methods that you will use to find suitable suppliers. Decide whether you will publish your requirements in trade publications and call for bids, or whether you will approach selected companies directly for proposals and estimates. Allocate a time frame for conducting your suppliers selection process. Appoint qualified members of your team to review the proposals and recommend a short list of suppliers to choose from.

3. Call for bids.

Put out a call for bids according to the selection process you chose. This could be a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a Request for Quotation (RFQ). Whatever form it is, it should include full details of the products or services you need, along with quantities, delivery dates, and quality standards identified in your criteria. Ask bidders to provide detailed information on the processes they use, the stability of their raw material suppliers (if applicable), and reasons why you should choose them.

4. Evaluate the bid submissions.

Compare each submission you receive against a checklist of criteria for suppliers and question any items that appear to be lacking in clarity. Review the scope of the services outlined in the proposal and consider whether they match your requirements. Decide on each criterias importance and score all submissions against this for an objective method of evaluation. Identify what the agreement or contract period with each potential supplier comprises to ensure you aren’t drawn into a situation that could be damaging to your business.

5. Monitor the supplier performance.

Even the most reliable supplier can occasionally slip up. Make sure they have a direct contact point at your company and conduct regular performance reviews. This will help you keep tabs on their work and make sure they’re fulfilling their end of the agreement. These reviews will also help you when it comes time to talk about contract renewal, so you know where you stand.

Following these tips will enable you to successfully select suppliers who can support your business requirements by delivering the appropriate goods and services you need on time and within budget. This will help you improve your productivity and ensure you produce quality goods/services.

Easy Ways to Save Money Without Sacrificing Too Much

When you need to save money, it's not a wise solution to starve yourself. By simply making practical and the right decisions when it comes to your lifestyle, you can actually save a lot from your earnings. There are several ways on how you can achieve this if you will only take a closer look on some of the things that are being overlooked on your day-to-day routine.

To help you out, here are some easy yet effective money-saving tips, and you don't have to starve yourself just so you can save some bucks.

1.    Learn the skill of secondhand buying

Buying used things can cut the cost up to 50% or more, and with a little effort, you can get almost-new stuff for half the price. You can check local craigslist and other similar websites to see if there is a listing of the particular item you want to buy. From DVDs to cars, everything can be bought secondhand and usually in great condition.

2.    Wait for sales

Whether it’s clothing or electronics, sales come and go often, and you should keep your eyes peeled. If there is a specific item you are looking to buy, then it’s worthwhile to wait a bit and see if it gets listed as being on sale. You can wait for holiday sales or clearance sales. Better yet, just ask a store agent if there will be any upcoming sale, and they will surely be able to provide a date estimate.

3.    Aboard the DIY train

The Web is flooded with do-it-yourself ideas to make pretty much anything in your home. You can create beauty products, smartphone stands, cleaning products, cloth racks, kitchen accessories, storage spaces, decorations and much more. Simply do a search on Google for what you want to make, and there should be a DIY tutorial. There are even DIY apps to easily find amazing DIY projects.

4.    Use a money-management app

Money management is the key to money-saving, and thankfully there are many cool smartphone apps that can make this task a breeze. Mint is a great money management app for Android and iOS that lets you handle all your accounts and expenses in one place.

5.    Do online shopping wisely

Online shopping is a great convenience, but in order to save money you need to make sure you get the best deal online. There are hundreds of stores that sell the same item at different prices, so it can be a little hard to get the best bang for the buck. Thankfully, there are many shopping apps and tools available to get the best prices on the item you need.

Furthermore, there are many apps to find great deals on your favorite products. Slickdeals is a good website for finding cheap and even free deals. Take advantage of such tools to ensure you get the best price for your favorite products.

6.    Use coupons (the right way)

Today, coupons are available for almost everything, and you can save big on your favorite items. Websites like RetailMeNot or even a simple Google search can easily get you a coupon for your favorite store, service, or an item. Usually, you can save up to 50% on things using a coupon code.

Fund Your Own Business With the Help of These Methods

It can be a very challenging thing to succeed without a solid financial backup no matter how great the business idea is surprisingly, the best source of financing can be from out of your own pocket. The term “self-financing” includes using your own money to invest directly in the company and using your personal assets as collateral for outside funding. When you self-finance your business, it gives you complete control of your company and the independence to do what you want. Here are some ways you can self-finance or fund your own small business.

Personal Savings

Saving up the money to fund your business ahead of time saves you money (i.e., no interest) and security, though it does involve risking your life savings. If you need to ramp up your savings quickly, consider picking up a side job at nights or on the weekends. You can also sell some of your possessions to add to your savings. If you have old boxes of collectibles accumulating dust, sell them for fast cash.

Life Insurance

Borrowing against life insurance offers another valid financing option, but it does come with some risks. You can typically borrow up to the cash value you’ve accumulated at a reasonable interest rate. Unlike a conventional loan, you won’t need to pay the loan back. Instead, any money you take out will be deducted from the amount your beneficiaries receive when you die. However, life insurance loans are subject to some tricky taxation and compound interest. If you pay your loan interest out of your policy, the IRS views it as income and will tax it accordingly. You’ll also be subject to compound interest. Take these disadvantages into consideration before withdrawing your total cash value.

Home Equity Loan

If you own a home with a sufficient amount of equity from paying your mortgage, think about taking out a home equity loan or home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC. Home equity loans provide a one lump-sum payment, while a HELOC works similarly to a credit card, where you only pay interest on the outstanding balance. Both carry a low interest rate as compared to other forms of financing. However, putting up the family home as collateral certainly raises the stakes for the business. You must ensure you will have sufficient cash flow to make your payments or you may lose the home.

Credit Cards

If you have a stellar credit rating, you may be able to fund your business by solely relying on credit cards. It may be one of the most expensive ways to self-finance your business, but many successful business owners have made it work. To avoid the slippery slope of credit card debt, shop for a good interest rate, and avoid zero percent interest cards that shoot up to astronomical rates after 60 days. Create a payment plan to stay on top of your debt.

Investments and Securities

Borrowing against your investments and securities as collateral offers an easy way to raise the money you need at a low interest rate. You can borrow up to the initial margin limit of your stock, typically 25 to 50 percent. The downside to taking out a margin loan is maintaining enough equity in your investments to avoid margin calls. If your stock drops and you don’t have enough equity to maintain the margin limit, you’ll need to supply more money within a certain time frame. If you don’t have enough cash within that time, your brokerage may liquidate your other securities to satisfy the call.

Bootstrapping your business successfully requires a clever combination of assets, cash flow, and penny-pinching. The road to success may be a long one, but in the end, it may be worth it because you won’t have a bank, venture capitalist, or small business loan to hold you down.

5 Common Reasons Why Business Plans Fail

There are obvious reasons why business plans fail -- missing crucial deadlines for finishing the business plan or drawing unattractive profit projections are just some of those instances that may repel potential investors. On the lighter side, there are also those more subtle reasons that investors and banks lose interest to. By learning these tips, you can avoid the often overlooked mistakes some people usually make when writing a business plan.

1.    Bad business idea

Nobody likes to talk about it, but the main reason why business plans fail is bad ideas. Most ideas look great on paper—but all too often, companies realize they have invested in a bad idea once it is too late.

To avoid this, smart businesses are using “user-driven development” (UDD) to build new businesses. Lots of ideas seem great until you figure out that the market doesn’t actually want your product. In order to ensure that a business idea is sound, entrepreneurs should search for product validation by reaching out to their target consumers before sinking huge amounts of time and money into the project.

Firms that want to innovate with a focus on customers often hold small meetings with the potential end users where they describe the project and then ask users for their opinions. After the first round of discussion, the firm can go back to the drawing board to incorporate the helpful feedback. Second and even third rounds can enhance the final product’s popularity.

Avoid wasting time on a bad business plan by gauging the market sentiment toward your project before investing a significant amount of time and effort.

2.    Employee compensation is not incentive compatible

Business plans can fail because employees are not compensated in a way that aligns the goal of the employee with the goals of the company. For example, if an employee is paid with annual or monthly bonuses then the employee will only do what is good for the company in the short run. Startups and small businesses can offer more customized salary packages than large multinational corporations.

For example, instead of offering a standard salary package of retirement plans, child-care assistance, savings program, determine what the employee wants the most. For example, elderly employees may not be motivated by child-care assistance, so don’t focus on that in their package. Secondly, instead of offering an upfront payment of 2 percent of the company’s stock, offer a salary that pays that 2 percent over several years to ensure that the employee stays committed in the long-run.

3.    Un-balanced team

Another common cause why business plans didn't work out is that the team is not balanced. Say for example a tech business plan that was making a health application for smartphones. The problem is, the team did not have a single developer or IT specialist involved. If the business idea requires 80 percent of the labor hours to be performed by a software programmer, then the team needs at least one developer onboard. It is important to keep in mind that venture capitalists sometimes refuse to fund companies that only have one founder or have unbalanced teams.

4.    Missing financial projection details

The “numbers” are actually the most interesting part of the entire document for most investors. Break-even and return-on-investment (ROI) calculations are also parts of a good business plan. Do not forget to factor in future expenses. For example, if the company needs to purchase new office equipment every three years, then the discounted value of those expenses should be included in the forecasted financial projections. Of course, the figures are only estimates, but they are important benchmarks that can be used to measure the company’s progress toward achieving their goals.

5.    Failure to improve business plan after receiving feedback

Once you have finished writing your business plan, it is a good idea to send it out to at least three people before showing it to potential investors.

Think of these three people as your board of advisors. Ask them to read the plan and look for logical gaps in the content. If one advisor recommends a change that you disagree with, do not ignore his advice. Instead, ask the other advisors for their opinions and then make a decision. Edit your plan according to their constructive criticism, and thank them for their help.